© Matthew Johnson

Album Launch Concert

One month ago today I officially launched my debut solo album, Connection, with a concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields. I was blown away by the number of people who came along to support. I was also very grateful to the composers featured on my album who came to the concert and generously introduced their pieces during interviews with Linton Stephens. The concert was everything I’d hoped it would be and more! I was also joined by photographer Matthew Johnson, who captured the event beautifully (and also created my album cover photo). You can see his photos via the link below:

Hummel Concerto with Britten Sinfonia

Over the late May Bank Holiday weekend, I had the wonderful opportunity of performing as a soloist alongside my colleagues from Britten Sinfonia. I was invited to perform Hummel’s Trumpet Concerto at both Norwich Cathedral and Saffron Hall. These two venues offered very different acoustics, each enjoyable in their own way, and the orchestra was directed from the violin by guest leader, Clio Gould. I felt so supported by friends and colleagues surrounding me and in the audiences, and these were very happy, memorable experiences for me. The concert in Norwich received a glowing review, which can be found at the link below (towards the end of the article):

BBC Radio 3 - In Tune

In preparation for my Hummel performances, and in celebration of my recently-released album, I was invited to appear as a guest on BBC Radio 3’s show In Tune. I performed three pieces, alongside my brilliant friend and pianist Patrick Milne, and we were both interviewed by host Katie Derham. It was particularly special to be on the show because my Dad was a sound engineer at Radio 3 for over 30 years. He worked on In Tune very often and was actually the engineer for the show’s first ever programme in 1992! We performed my Dad’s arrangement of O Waly Waly and Katie subsequently chose this performance as her ‘live music highlight’ of the week. You can catch up on the episode via the link below (0:14:04 - Hummel 3rd mvt / 1:32:15 - interviews/performances):

LSO - Trafalgar Square

On Sunday 15 June (5pm) I will be performing with the London Symphony Orchestra for their popular, outdoor concert in Trafalgar Square (BMW Classics). This concert will be conducted by the LSO’s Chief Conductor, Sir Antonio Pappano, and celebrates his Italian heritage with a programme including works by Puccini, Rossini and Verdi. This is a free concert with no tickets required.

Proms at St Jude’s - Lunchtime Recital

On Tuesday 24 June (12pm) I’m looking forward to performing a recital with Patrick Milne for the Proms at St Jude’s. This music & literary festival is hosted in the stunning venue of St Jude on the Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb. Our programme centres around music by British composers, both contemporary (including Sally Beamish & Charlotte Harding) and those who were groundbreaking for their time (Ethel Smyth & Rebecca Clarke). Our programme also features the World Premiere of a new work for flugelhorn and piano, Ennui, by composer Noah Max. This is a free concert with no tickets required.

Aurora Orchestra - Berlioz & Mendelssohn

I’m excited to be involved in Aurora Orchestra’s next major project: Berlioz’s Harold in Italy with violist Lawrence Power and Mendelssohn Symphony No.4 (from memory). We will perform at the QEH on Sunday 29 June (message me directly for a £15 ticket offer!) and this project will continue in November 2025 with a UK tour (Wiltshire, Snape Maltings, Saffron Hall and Nottingham).

JAM on the Marsh - Barry Mills Trumpet Concerto

My next solo appearance with Britten Sinfonia will be premiering Barry Mills’ Trumpet Concerto at JAM on the Marsh festival. This work was written for me in 2020 and, in 2022, I recorded it with the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra in the Czech Republic (available on Spotify/YouTube). However, it has not yet received a live performance, so I was thrilled when JAM decided to programme it this year. The concerto, for trumpet, strings and harp, features some jazzy, Miles Davis-esque moments using a harmon mute, and a particularly beautiful second movement for the flugelhorn, based on the Cornish folk song ‘I’ll Love my Love’.